Strawberry plant named &#39;DONNA&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety. The varietal denomination of the new variety is ‘DONNA’. Among the characteristics which appear to distinguish the new variety from other varieties are a combination of traits which include inflorescence that appears level with to above the foliage and abundant production of red colored, conical to wedged shaped, firm fruit, and medium fruit size.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Fragaria×ananassa ‘DONNA’.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

The new plant has the varietal denomination ‘DONNA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of strawberry, botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DONNA’.

The new variety of strawberry was created in a breeding program by crossing two parents; in particular, by crossing as seed parent an undistributed strawberry parent designated 98.05.17 (unpatented) and as pollen parent an undistributed strawberry parent designated 98.16.34 (unpatented). Both parental varieties are proprietary and have not been commercialized.

The new variety was discovered in a controlled breeding program of Fragaria×ananassa and differs from its parents and other known cultivars of Fragaria×ananassa by the following characteristics in combination:

-   -   1. The new variety of strawberry differs from its seed parent,         designed 98.05.17 (unpatented), in the shape, color of fruits         and the color of the stolons. The new strawberry variety is more         tolerant to oidium than the seed parent; and     -   2. The new variety of strawberry differs from its pollen parent,         designated 98.16.34 (unpatented), in the shape of fruit, the         firmness of fruit and the shape of incisions of margin of the         terminal leaflet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DONNA’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, nutrition and water status without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DONNA’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DONNA’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. inflorescence that appears level with to above the foliage;     -   2. abundant production of red colored, conical to wedged shaped,         firm fruit of medium size.

The resulting seedling of the new variety was grown and asexually propagated by runners in Le Barp, Gironde, France 0,46° W., 44N., 150 feet elevation. Clones of the new variety were further asexually propagated and extensively tested. This propagation and testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS AND OTHER CULTIVARS

The new variety is closest to the variety ‘GARIGUETTE’ (unpatented), but is distinguished therefrom by the following characteristics possessed by ‘DONNA’ which are different than, or not possessed by, ‘DONNA’ (unpatented):

-   -   1. ‘GARIGUETTE’ (unpatented) shows a leaf color of upperside         (RHS green group near 139 B to 143B) less dark than ‘DONNA’ (RHS         green group near 139 A to 143 A). ‘GARIGUETTE’ (unpatented)         shows a leaf color of underside (RHS green group near 138 B to         138 A) less dark than ‘DONNA’ (RHS green group near 137 B to 137         A).     -   2. ‘GARIGUETTE’ (unpatented) exhibits a acute shape of base of         terminal leaflet than ‘DONNA’ exhibits a rounded shape.     -   3. ‘GARIGUETTE’ shows a size of calyx relative to corolla         larger, whereas ‘DONNA’ shows a same size of calix relative to         corolla.     -   4. The fruit size of ‘GARIGUETTE’ (unpatented) is shorter of         ‘DONNA’.     -   5. ‘GARIGUETTE’ (unpatented) shows a red fruit color (RHS red         group near 41B to 41 A), whereas in ‘DONNA’ it is an red fruit         color (RHS red group near 43 A to 43 B) with a stronger         glossiness.     -   6. The predominant shape of fruits of ‘GARIGUETTE’ (unpatented)         is bi-conical, whereas in ‘DONNA’ it is conical to wedged.     -   7. Fruit of the ‘GARIGUETTE’ (unpatented) exhibits an attitude         of the calyx segments more reflexed than ‘DONNA’.     -   8. Band without achenes in the fruit of ‘GARIGUETTE’         (unpatented) is broad to very broad than in ‘DONNA’ it is         narrow.     -   9. ‘GARIGUETTE’ shows less firmness fruit than ‘DONNA’ fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying illustrations show a specimen of the new cultivar in a photographic illustration as true to color as is reasonably possible to make in an illustration of this character. Color values in the illustrations may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describes the actual colors of the new Strawberry.

The plants depicted in the drawings were planted July 19, 2005 in Le Barp, Gironde, France 0,46° W., 44N., 150 feet elevation. Drawings were taken May, 2006 (about May 15, 2006): minimum temperate about 14 to 16° Centigrade, maximum temperate about 25 to 28° Centigrade.

FIG. 1 the top of a complete leave of the new variety, designated ‘DONNA’ (unpatented).

FIG. 2 shows the color of upper side of a typical terminal leaflet of the new variety (designated ‘DONNA’) (RHS green group near 139 A to 143 A).

FIG. 3 shows the undersurface of a typical terminal leaflet of the new variety (designated ‘DONNA’) with a shape of base rounded.

FIG. 4 shows the flower and reproductive organs of the new variety (designated ‘DONNA’).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show typical fruit of the new variety (designated ‘DONNA’) whole, sliced and in cross section, illustrating the typical conical to wedged shape and flesh coloration, conspicuous core and core cavity, strong glossiness, red fruit color (RHS red group near 43 A to 43 B) and a narrow band without achenes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

‘DONNA’ has not been observed under all possible environmental, cultural and light conditions. The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruits grown “underglass”, i.e. undertunnel, in Le Barp, Gironde, France 0,46° W., 44N., 150 feet elevation.

The following description is in accordance with UPOV terminology and the color terminology herein is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.). The color descriptions and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions.

-   General: “DONNA” is a partially remontant variety that needs an     induction to flowering by chilling, such as occurs at nursery (fresh     plant) or with cold storage (referred to as a frigo plant). Usually     a short time is sufficient. “DONNA” is self-fertile. It produces     large quantity of pollen throughout the seasons and pollination is     generally good as there are very few malformed fruit. -   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Fragaria×ananassa ‘DONNA’.         -   Parentage.—Female or Seed Parent: Fragaria×ananassa 98.05.17             (unpatented) Male or Pollen Parent: Fragaria×ananassa             98.16.34 (Unpatented).         -   Propagation.—By runners. -   Plant:     -   -   Size.—Height: Approximately 24 cm Diameter/Spread:             Approximately 26/28 cm.         -   Form and growth habit.—Flat globose.         -   Density.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—Medium to Strong. -   Stolons:     -   -   Number.—Many, about 15 to 20.         -   Thickness.—Medium, about 2.6 mm.         -   Color.—Yellow-green Group near 145A. -   Leaf:     -   -   Shape.—Cordate Apex: Acute Base: Cordate.         -   Leaf size.—Approximately 11 cm long and 14 cm wide.         -   Cross-section.—Slightly concave.         -   Aspect.—Weak undulate or blistering.         -   Coloration.—Upper side: Green Group near 139A to 143A Under             side: Green Group near 137B to 137A.         -   Number of Leaflets.—Sometimes more than 3.         -   Petioles.—Size: Approximately 25 cm in length Hairs:             Positioned Outwards.         -   Leaf stem color.—Green Group near 145A.         -   Leaf stem length.—About 25 cm.         -   Terminal leaflet characteristics.—Lenget/Width Ratio: Equal             Length: 7.5 cm Width: 7.5 cm Shape of Base: Rounded Shape of             Teeth: Rounded.         -   Stipules.—Anocyanin Coloration: Strong Color: Greyed-Red             Group near 179B. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Time from bloom to fruit.—40 to 45 days.         -   Position.—Level with foliage to above.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Medium.         -   Arrangement of petals.—Overlapping.         -   Flower diameter (primary).—Approximately 2.5-3.0 cm.         -   Flower diameter (secondary).—Approximately 2.0-2.5 cm.         -   Fragrance.—None noted.         -   Petals.—Number/Arrangement: About 5 to 8 overlapping petals             Length/Width Ratio: Equal. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: Numerous Stamen Length: Approximately 3 to             4 mm Color: Yellow-Green Group near 150C to 150D.         -   Anthers.—Size: Average Color: Yellow Orange Group near 15A             and darkening with maturity.         -   Pollen.—Amount: Fertil & Abundant Color: Yellow Orange Group             near 14B to 15B.         -   Pistils.—Number: Numerous Size: Average Color: Yellow Group             near 12B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Truss attitude.—Semi-erect.         -   Ratio of length/maximum width.—Longer than broad.         -   Color.—Red Group near 43B to 43A.         -   Peduncle color.—Yellow-Green Group near 145A.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Predominant shape.—Conical to wedged.         -   Primary fruit.—Length: About 5.0 to 6.0 cm Width: About 3.5             to 4.5 cm.         -   Secondary fruit.—Length: About 3.5 to 4.0 cm Width: About             2.5 to 3.5 cm.         -   Difference in primary secondary shape.—Moderate.         -   Band without achenes.—Narrow.         -   Color of achenes.—Green-Yellow Group near 1B.         -   Unevenness of surface.—Weak to very weak.         -   Insertion of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Insertion of calyx.—Level with fruit.         -   Pose of calyx segments.—Reflexed.         -   Size of calyx in relation fruit diameter.—Smaller to same             size.         -   Adherence of calyx.—Strong.         -   Glossiness.—Strong.         -   Flesh.—Firmness: Firm Color of flesh: Orange Red Group near             34C to 34A Distribution of red color of flesh: Marginal and             central, Uneven Hollow center: Weakly expressed Sweetness:             Medium Acidity: Medium. -   Growth characteristics:     -   -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Early.         -   Time of ripening (50% of plants with ripe fruits).—Early.         -   Type of bearing.—Partially remontant.         -   Chilling.—Weak.         -   Planting date.—July 15 to 25, 2005.         -   10% flowering.—March 10, 2006.         -   First mature fruits.—April 5, 2006.         -   Maturity (15-20 gms/plant).—April 20, 2006. -   Ripening characteristics: After planting as aforesaid, plants are     grown in raised beds undertunnel (small tunnel with small holes in     plastic walls). Water and fertilizer were applied through drip     irrigation. Time of ripening (50% of plants with ripe fruit) is     about April 10, 2006. First mature fruit is about April 5, 2006 and     maturity (15-20 gms/plant) is about April 20, 2006. -   Storage qualities: ‘DONNA’ fruit maintain their quality     characteristics when kept in a chamber at temperatures of about     2° C. for 48 hours. The fruit's color and glossiness remain     substantially the same. -   Pests/diseases: Tolerant to Oidium, no particular sensitivity to any     disease or parasite observed. -   Fruit production comparison: Comparison with ‘GARIGUETTE’     (unpatented): The new variety is compared with ‘GARIGUETTE’.

Accumulated production of 1st quality fruit (q/plant): Variety 31-Ap 10-My 24-My CLERY 236 430 836 GARIGUETTE 135 407 748 DONNA 234 480 1032

Variety 1st/2nd Quality Fruit Total (g/fruit) CLERY 836 + 44 880 24-17 GARIGUETTE  748 + 172 920 18-11 DONNA 1032 + 128 1160 21-14

Production total of first quality fruit and second quality fruit in g/plant: Variety 1st quality 2nd quality Total % 2nd Q CLERY 836 44 880 5 GARIGUETTE 748 172 920 23 DONNA 1032 128 1160 12

Weight (q/Fruit) at two dates: 31 April and 24 May: WEIGHT (g/fruit) 31 April 24 May CLERY 24 21 GARIGUETTE 18 16 DONNA 21 20 (WEIGHT is shown as the average weight per fruit in First Quality Fruits.)

-   General: The growing period in Le Barp, Gironde, France, where the     observations were made, is between about February 20 and May 30 of     each year, with a maximum production at about between April 25 and     May 15. ‘DONNA’ is a partially remontant variety that benefits from     induction to flowering by chilling, usually 700 to 900 hours are     sufficient, preferably at temperatures of 7° C. or less. Normally,     the minimum number of hours are accumulated in the field during     several days. 

1. A new Fragaria×ananassa plant named ‘DONNA’, substantially as shown and described. 